The fixture list for the 2009/10 Premier League season has been published and newcomers Burnley are looking at a pretty rough opening month.

Their first fixture away at Stoke on August 15 is acceptable enough but then the clarets will play host to Manchester United and Everton and if that was not tough enough trips to Anfield and Stamford Bridge follow.

Four teams out of last years top five await the Championship playoff winners at the start of the season.

But, could this be an advantage? Maybe playing the top teams at the start of the campaign could work in your favour. They may have a bit of early season rust, new players who need to bed into the team and they’re not exactly playing for much in the first month – Much better to play them then than a month after Christmas.